Yemeni Army: Top Republican Guard Officials Joined the Legitimacy

Jeddah – Disagreements among loyalists of ousted president Ali Saleh have expanded in Yemen to include not only members of the Republican Guard – the military wing in central and northern fronts in Yemen -but also its top officials.

Yemen’s army chief of staff Mohammed al-Maqdishi stated that dozens of high-ranking army officials are joining the legitimate Yemeni forces in several areas.

Maqdishi said that armed forces managed to communicate with the military officials to secure for them an exit from Sana’a. He added that the national army welcomes all leaderships that want to join the legitimacy after discovering the malicious goals of the insurgency.

When asked about the army’s strategy for the upcoming stage, Maqdishi said that the army had made individual plans for each front because what worked for Hodeidah, can’t be applied to any other front.

He added that these plans will lead to great achievements in the coming days.

Maqdishi didn’t give further details about the plans but confirmed that the army has taken position at its bases and is steadfast in achieving its goals.

The chief of staff stated that the army plans to liberate new fronts in several areas, disrupting what is left of the insurgents’ military capabilities.

He also clarified that the army took full control of areas like Mokha, precisely the port. In addition, the army advanced in Taiz and is closing in on Khalid strategic military camp.

“Khalid camp will soon be under the control of the army which confirms the readiness of the national army’s different brigades,” Maqdishi stated.

Concerning smuggling operations in the Horn of Africa, Maqdishi pointed out that the liberation of Mokha helped reduce weapons smuggling to the militias.

When asked about several foreign experts killed during the latest confrontations, Maqdishi confirmed that many of those experts had come to help the insurgents.

“The plan to liberate Sana’a has been set. We should take into consideration that the capital is heavily inhabited and it is hard to break into it quickly,” Maqdishi explained, adding that the military plan has been set but the operation requires precision.